Lamar Jackson Contract, Timeline for New Deal Discussed By Ravens Owner Amid Rumors

The Baltimore Ravens have a tall task ahead of them as they try to find their next head coach, but they're also hoping to give their star quarterback a new deal in the coming months.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday that he wants to sign Lamar Jackson to a new contract by March.

"The urgency of that matters to me because we've got free agents and I don't want to go into free agency with that hanging over our head," Bisciotti said, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "And I made that clear to Lamar and I think he was very appreciative of my stance and hopefully willing to work with Eric [DeCosta, Ravens general manager] and not get this thing dragged out into April like the last time. It's very hard for him to build a roster when that thing is not settled."

Jackson is under contract through the 2027 campaign, but his cap hit increases from $43.5 million to $74.5 million in 2026. It remains at $74.5 million in 2027. Hensley noted that Jackson's cap figure next season would make up 25 percent of the Ravens' entire salary cap.

Bisciotti said that if the team is unable to reach a new deal with Jackson, it would lower his cap figure by spreading it out in void years, though the Ravens would prefer to avoid that scenario.

Bisciotti feels confident that Jackson will be open to a new contract.

"We want another window, and Lamar knows that," Bisciotti said. "I think that he's amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal he did, although the annual number will be a little higher. But I'm hoping that it's plug a new number in the same contract he signed last year and move on."

Bisciotti also said he invited Jackson to participate in interviews with head coaching candidates in the final stages of the search, but added that he won't allow him to have a say in the decision.

"A lot of say, but it is no power. I have the power," he said. "I care about my players very much, but I can't give them power."

Jackson, a two-time MVP, missed four games with injuries, which led to one of the worst seasons of his career. In 13 games, he threw for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 349 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

The Ravens finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.